That makes this a good time to tell you about two remarkable women: Jean Ann Vuichard, who lost her battle with breast cancer on Oct. 14, 2011; and Helaine Zack, who continues to fight for survivors of domestic violence.

Jean Ann Vuichard and breast cancer awareness

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Longtime Oak Park resident Jean Ann Vuichard was ”a beautiful, sarcastic, loving and strong-willed woman,” according to her only child, Mike Hull, who helped care for her during her two-year struggle as the disease spread to her brain. Vuichard was only 46-years-old when she died.

“Towards the end, Mom and I would take walks around the block to get some fresh air and get out of the house,” Hull said. “At that point she could not talk, so I often found myself talking to her about anything and everything.

“I talked about the dogs we would see on our path, events going on in the world and most importantly, during every walk I made her a promise that one day a cure will be found for breast cancer.”

Since her death, Hull says he ”has become obsessed with raising money and creating awareness for anything breast cancer related.” Already, he has raised close to $30,000 in the last two years for breast cancer charities.

His goal now is to raise $11,111.13 in the month of October. That number is based on what would have been her next birthday, January 11, 2013. He and his team have received pledges of $4,500 for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Detroit on Saturday.

Now Hull and friends are planning “Ha Ha’s for Ta Ta’s,” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Farina’s Banquet Center, 2485 Coolidge Highway in Berkley. Farina’s is donating everything and, in addition, giving an extra $1 for every Facebook “like” they get in October.

Hull’s hope is for a sellout. Tickets are $15 for general seating or $20 for reserved table seating. Purchase tickets at Farina’s, online at acsevents.org/goto/inmemoryofjean or at the door.

For more information or to purchase tickets directly, call Hull at 248-828-5940 or email him at weneedthecure@yahoo.com. Parents need to accompany anyone under age 18. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

“I still hurt so bad,” Hull said, “but raising money and doing something for the cause makes me feel like I can save another someone’s mother.”

Helaine Zack and domestic violence awareness

In her role as employee assistance program manager for Beaumont Health Systems, social worker Helaine Zack helps take care of employees and their families.

“Everybody is human and we all have personal issues,” Zack said. “It makes sense for Beaumont to help employees cope with them.” Domestic violence is one of the major issues she deals with, and, she says, “all ages and cultural groups are touched by domestic violence.”

Beaumont staffers have been trained to help patients who may have been domestic violence victims. “Beaumont is not unique,” Zack said, “People everywhere can be in abusive relationships.”

Troy Beaumont Hospital hosts a Silent Witness remembrance program in early October for Michigan domestic violence victims who have lost their lives in the last year, and an annual drive during the entire month to collect gift cards, food, household supplies, toiletries and cell phones for HAVEN. Silent Witness silhouettes with statistics about domestic violence are on display throughout the Beaumont Health System during October.

Zack, a 32-year resident of Huntington Woods, has also served as the city’s representative on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for the past 10 years. She originally decided to run while walking dogs with her friend and former County Commissioner Gilda Jacobs.

“As I started speaking about mental health problems, I realized I had something to offer as a commissioner,” Zack said. “I wanted to be a voice on health and human service issues.”

In that role, she has used her social services expertise to work on issues affecting senior citizens, jail overcrowding and the mentally ill.

“We really have made a difference,” she said.

HAVEN, the only domestic violence and sexual assault center in Oakland County, has been one of Zack’s main resources over the years.

Now Zack is turning her expertise to helping HAVEN as it rolls out a capital campaign to build a Family Justice Center that would, according to HAVEN President Beth Morrison, “create a ‘one stop shop’ for survivors, by bringing key partners and services, such as employment training, legal services and access to benefits, to our new facility.”

Zack agreed to serve on HAVEN’s capital campaign committee, because “domestic violence is an issue that touches all of us and HAVEN does a wonderful job of helping people get out of unhealthy relationships and back on their feet.”

HAVEN is just beginning to bring its capital campaign to the public. On Nov.1, at the Oakland County Board of Commissioner’s 9:30 a.m. meeting, HAVEN will present their Family Justice Center plan to the commissioners. Zack looks forward to being there to support HAVEN and all the people who have been helped by them in the past and who will be in the future.

Museum open house

The Orson Starr House Guild will open the Orson Starr House Museum, 3123 N. Main St. in Royal Oak, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. There is no entrance fee, but donations are always welcome.

Additional parking is one block south at the Salvation Army Citadel. For more information, call 248-546-0138.

Two cellos and a drum

Cellist Priscilla Hawkins recently returned to her hometown of Pleasant Ridge after 38 years in California. She will be joined by cellist Patricia Valentine and local percussionist Stuart Tucker as they present a fun program for the Royal Oak Musicale.

The trio will play something for just about every musical taste - classical, jazz, tango, and folk - at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 814 Campbell Road in Royal Oak.

Musicale programs are free and open to the public. There will be a reception following the performance.

Musical member Nancy Schneider of Royal Oak is underwriting this program. Ruth MacPhee is chairwoman of the day and Claire Mautner is tea chairwoman.

Rummage and bake sale

Lamps, furniture, housewares, clothing, toys and books will be among the finds at St. Justin Catholic Church’s rummage and bake sale Oct. 19- 21. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday only, look for discount pricing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

While fall color is at its peak, enjoy it up close at the Royal Oak Nature Society’s naturalist-led fall color walk through Cummingston Park at 10 a.m. Oct. 20.

Park and meet at Torquay Avenue and Leafdale Boulevard, just east of the Meijer store in Royal Oak. No dogs are allowed. Everyone is welcome to enjoy this free walk. No advance registration is needed.

Prayer breakfast in Clawson

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard will be the guest speaker and the Clawson High School Choir will perform, as Clawson Mayor Penny Luebs welcomes the community to the Clawson Community Coalition and Clawson Chamber of Commerce 13th annual prayer breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Oct. 23 at the Hunter Community Center, 509 Fisher Court.

The Clawson Senior Center will provide a breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns, toast and beverages for a donation of just $5.

RSVP to 248-546-9777 or bowens@cityofclawson.com by noon Oct. 19.

Have news about your club, organization or interesting individuals in Southeast Oakland County you would like to share with the community? Email Jeanne Towar at jeanne.towar@gmail.com or call 248-890-8370.